Advice

Expert advice to help you get the most out of stargazing, from DIY projects to practical astronomy tips.

The radiant is the point from which a meteor shower appears to originate, as seen from Earth. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Meteor showers How to observe and record shooting stars

An artist's impression of Earth in orbit around the Sun. Credit: janiecbros / iStock / Getty Images Plus

How does Earth orbit the Sun?

How to take care of your telescope

How to take care of your telescope

Positioned on the opposite side of the Earth to the Sun, Jupiter is shown at opposition. Credit: Steve Marsh

What is opposition in astronomy?

Canon EOS Ra astrophotography camera review

Astrophotography

Best equipment for photographing meteors 2020

Star trails over Sad Hill, Contreras, Spain, 25 July 2020. Photo by Samuel de Roman / Getty Images

6 of the best places to stargaze in Spain

Make the most of Mars at opposition in 2020. Credit:Pete Lawrence

Observing guide Great ready for Mars opposition 2020

The angle between Earth, Venus and the Sun is 90˚ at greatest western elongation. Credit: Pete Lawrence

See Venus at greatest western elongation

How to transform your astrophotos with image processing. Credit: Farknot_Architect / iStock / Getty Images

Astrophoto guides

Image processing Bring out the best in your astrophotos

Create a mineral Moon astrophoto. Credit: Dave Eagle

Astrophoto guides

Image processing Create a mineral Moon astrophoto

Mars reaches its highest position for August at the month’s close. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Observing guide How to see the planets in the night sky this month

What to see in the night sky, August 2020. Credit: Carlos Fernandez

What to see in the night sky: August 2020

The Moon, imaged from Dorset, UK, by Peter Lewis. Credit: LatitudeStock - Peter Lewis / Getty Images

Lunar maria A complete guide to the seas of the Moon

A composite image showing multiple Perseid meteors over Big Bend National park, 14 August 2016. Credit: Jason Weingart / Barcroft Media via Getty Images / Barcroft Media via Getty Images

What causes a meteor shower?

Create a spectrograph for your smartphone. Credit: Mark Parrish

How to create a spectrograph for your smartphone